The NFL playoff picture shows which teams are leading their divisions, which are competing for wild-card places and which need a stronger finish to stay in contention. It changes every week as teams win, lose and complete divisional or conference games.
Use the official NFL playoff picture for the latest teams in the hunt and on the bubble, and consult the official NFL standings for the table behind the race.
How many teams make the playoffs?
Seven teams from each conference qualify for the NFL postseason: each division winner and three wild-card teams. Division titles guarantee a playoff place, while wild-card teams earn their places through their records and the league’s qualifying rules.
What affects a team’s position?
- Overall record: wins, losses and ties form the starting point.
- Division record: results against divisional rivals can matter when teams have the same overall record.
- Conference record and head-to-head results: these are among the factors used in the applicable NFL tiebreaking procedure.
- Remaining schedule: games left on the calendar determine how much a team can still improve its record.
- Injuries and team form: these do not replace official tiebreakers, but they matter when assessing a team’s chances of winning upcoming games.
There is no single tiebreaking order that applies identically to every situation. Division standings and wild-card ties use specific procedures, and multi-team ties can require additional steps. Check the official 2026 NFL rulebook for the full rules.
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Updated October 26, 2026. The official NFL pages provide the live standings; this Sportimatic page explains how to read the race and links to related coverage.